Gunmen Abduct APC Youth Leader, Wife in Kogi Community

Suspected gunmen have abducted the All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Leader of Ogbabede Ward in Abocho District, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, Arome Adaji, and his wife, Justina, from their residence.

The incident occurred at about 8 p.m. on Wednesday when the armed men invaded the couple’s home along Ajegwuna Road in Abocho and opened fire, forcing residents to seek shelter.

A resident, who identified himself as Ndamodu, said the couple were relaxing at home when gunshots suddenly erupted in the neighbourhood.

He explained that the shooting frightened residents, who remained indoors for fear of being caught in crossfire or hit by stray bullets.

According to him, residents only came out to assess the situation after the attackers had left and discovered that the gunmen had taken Adaji and his wife away.

The APC youth leader, popularly known as Iron Gate, and his wife were reportedly taken to an unknown destination. The circumstances surrounding their abduction remained unclear as of the time of filing this report.

The incident has renewed concerns about the security situation in Kogi East, where armed groups have reportedly extended their operations from major roads to residential areas, farms and rural settlements.

A community leader, Surveyor Agono Eneogba, said security operatives, vigilantes and local hunters had intensified surveillance along roads in communities across the region. However, he noted that the armed groups appeared to be targeting other locations.

“For weeks now, the armed hoodlums have scaled down activities on roads, focusing on residences and farms or farm settlements where they are abducting people at an alarming rate,” Eneogba said.

The latest abduction comes weeks after suspected gunmen reportedly seized a woman and her four children while they were returning from a burial ceremony in the community.

The victims later regained their freedom after a ransom was paid to their abductors, according to reports from the area.

When contacted for comments on the latest incident, the spokesperson for the Kogi State Police Command, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, responded with the word “noted”.

The police spokesperson did not provide further details on the abduction in her response.